India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi (L) and New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon pose with the T20 Cricket World Cup trophy at the Viaduct Events Centre in Auckland, New Zealand on July 11, 2026. Michael Bradley/Pool/AFP via Getty Images
India and New Zealand will elevate their relationship to the level of a “Strategic Partnership” by 2030, and will focus on maritime security in the region.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon called the move a “major step in the relationship” during an official state visit by the Indian leader.
“Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi and I have backed that ambition with action,” he said in a statement.
The countries have agreed on a “Roadmap to 2030” plan, which also lists a goal of doubling two-way trade under the recently signed free trade agreement (FTA) by 2034.
Under that agreement, tariffs will be reduced or eliminated on 95 percent of New Zealand’s exports to India once it’s fully implemented. It immedately applies to 57 percent of New Zealand’s exports.
“This Roadmap reflects the breadth of the relationship—from trade, investment and technology to maritime security, education, tourism, sport, agriculture and community,” Luxon said.
“Implementing our New Zealand-India Free Trade Agreement is central to that plan. It is a landmark achievement that will drive long-term growth for both countries.”
The Roadmap places a strong emphasis on maritime security, including a Maritime Cooperation Arrangement between the defence forces of India and New Zealand.
“New Zealand’s prosperity and security depend on a stable and secure Indo-Pacific,” Luxon said. “That’s why we are stepping up practical cooperation at sea and deepening how we work together and share perspectives on maritime security.”
A joint statement (pdf), issued after Modi’s visit, goes into more detail, revealing that the two countries have also agreed to a mutual logistics support arrangement “focused on the maritime domain,” regular bilateral naval exercises, and annual maritime security dialogues.
Last year New Zealand headed a combined task force, with India as deputy commander, which set out to deter narcotics smuggling, terrorism, and illicit maritime activity in the Middle East and the Western Indian Ocean.
Modi’s visit was the first by an Indian prime minister to New Zealand in 40 years and was the next stop after his visit to Australia.
New Zealand has also signalled its interest in joining the recently signed defence pact between Fiji and Australia following China’s firing of a long-range missile into the Pacific Ocean.
Foreign Minister Winston Peters told RNZ that “China does what China does if it gets away with it,” and that it was important that Pacific countries and other nations seriously concerned “are resistant right here and right now.”
